Audiology Advocacy on Capitol Hill: Representing Georgia and Advancing Access to Hearing Healthcare

One audiologist's experience representing Georgia, mentoring a future professional, and discovering why our voices matter in shaping healthcare policy.

By Dr. Carla Brandi Smiley, Au.D., CCC-A, FNAP

Owner, Onsite Audiology, LLC | Founder, Tiny House Hearing, Inc.

Sometimes, advocating for our profession means stepping away from the patients we serve, the businesses we operate, and the responsibilities waiting for us back home.

Recently, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill alongside a dedicated group of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, audiology students, and speech-language pathology students/assistants.

As an audiologist representing Georgia, I recognized both the privilege and responsibility of ensuring that our profession's unique perspective was included in conversations about healthcare access, educational funding, and the future of audiology.

What began as an opportunity to advocate for important legislation became an experience in leadership, mentorship, collaboration, and understanding the complexities of influencing public policy.

Preparation Matters: Walking Into Congressional Offices With Purpose

Advocacy doesn't begin when you walk through the doors of a congressional office. It begins long before that, with preparation.

Our group reviewed legislative priorities, understood the proposed bills, identified their implications, and prepared to communicate why these issues matter to the individuals and communities we serve.

We understood that our time with congressional staff would be limited. We needed to be clear, informed, and intentional.

And we were.

We were prepared to discuss the legislation, provide professional perspectives, answer questions, and make specific requests for legislative support and cosponsorship.

That preparation gave us the confidence to engage in meaningful conversations rather than simply recite talking points.

The Legislation: What We Were Advocating For

From the audiology perspective, four legislative initiatives were central to our discussions.

1. Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025

For audiologists, access to care remains one of our greatest priorities.

This legislation seeks to modernize Medicare's recognition of audiologists and improve beneficiaries' direct access to audiologic services.

As someone who provides traditional, mobile, and community-based hearing healthcare, I see firsthand how unnecessary barriers can delay care, particularly for older adults and underserved populations.

Patients should not face avoidable obstacles when seeking necessary hearing healthcare.

2. IDEA Full Funding Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides essential protections and services for students with disabilities.

However, adequate funding is critical to ensuring that schools have the resources needed to fulfill those commitments.

For audiologists, this legislation has important implications for students with hearing loss, auditory processing challenges, and other listening-related educational needs.

As someone who works closely with schools, educators, and families, I understand the importance of ensuring that children have timely access to appropriate evaluations, support services, and educational resources.

3. Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2025

Healthcare access is about more than whether services are available. It is also about how quickly patients can receive them.

This legislation addresses prior authorization processes within Medicare Advantage plans, with the goal of reducing unnecessary administrative delays.

For older adults, particularly those navigating multiple healthcare needs, timely access to medically necessary services can significantly influence continuity of care and quality of life.

4. Professional Degree Access Restoration Act

The future of audiology depends on our ability to recruit, educate, and retain qualified professionals.

Because entry into clinical audiology requires doctoral-level education, federal policies affecting professional degree classifications and graduate student loan access deserve our attention.

This initiative reflects broader concerns surrounding educational affordability and access to professional training.

Our profession cannot continue advancing if the financial barriers to entering it become increasingly difficult to overcome.

Meeting With Congressional Staff: Georgia and Beyond

Throughout our Capitol Hill visit, we met with staff members representing several congressional offices.

Georgia delegation:

• Senator Jon Ossoff

• Senator Raphael Warnock

• Representative Lucy McBath

• Representative Brian Jack

• 
  

Connecticut delegation:

• Senator Richard Blumenthal

• Senator Chris Murphy

• Representative Joe Courtney

• 
  

Each meeting provided an opportunity to communicate our priorities, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of the legislative process.

These conversations also reinforced something important: advocacy is not always about receiving an immediate commitment.

Sometimes, progress begins with establishing a relationship, opening the door for future conversations, and helping policymakers better understand the implications of the decisions before them.

Mentoring the Next Generation of Audiology Advocates

One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was the opportunity to mentor an undergraduate audiology student.

She participated in advocacy efforts with her home state's congressional delegation.

I had the privilege of accompanying her to several meetings and helping her navigate the advocacy experience.

We discussed and modeled the importance of understanding legislation, communicating effectively, and recognizing that advocacy is an essential part of professional responsibility.

It was also an opportunity to demonstrate that our influence doesn't stop at state lines.

When audiologists support one another across states, we strengthen our collective voice.

I hope this experience encouraged her to remain engaged in professional advocacy throughout her career.

We need the next generation of audiologists not only to be excellent clinicians but also to recognize their responsibility as future leaders and advocates.

A Question That Changed My Perspective

Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking moments of my Capitol Hill experience came during a discussion about the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act.

I asked a congressional staff member a question that had been on my mind:

"What is the hesitation in supporting this initiative?"

I wanted to understand why legislation designed to improve access to audiologic care could struggle to gain additional support.

The response was revealing.

Our discussion touched on how established lobbying organizations, competing stakeholder priorities, and financial resources can influence the legislative process.

It was an important reminder that advocating for a bill involves more than explaining its clinical merits.

Relationships, competing perspectives, political considerations, and sustained advocacy efforts shape legislative support.

While this conversation reflected one staff member's perspective rather than a definitive explanation of every legislator's position, it helped me better appreciate the challenges our profession faces.

And it left me with another question:

If audiologists are not consistently present and engaged in these conversations, who will ensure that our perspective is heard?

We cannot assume that the value of our profession, our training, or our services will automatically be understood.

We have to communicate that value.

And we must be willing to do so consistently.

Why Collaboration Across States Matters

Another significant lesson from this experience was the importance of professional unity.

Although I represented Georgia, the legislation we discussed affects audiologists and patients across the country.

The challenges facing our profession are not exclusive to one state.

Whether we are advocating for improved Medicare access, educational funding, professional recognition, or reduced administrative barriers, our efforts are stronger when we work together.

We need audiologists willing to share their experiences, engage with their congressional delegations, mentor emerging professionals, and support advocacy initiatives beyond their immediate communities.

The more coordinated and informed our efforts become, the stronger our collective voice can be.

Returning to Georgia: The Work Continues

I returned home from Washington feeling empowered, informed, and motivated.

But I also returned with a renewed understanding that advocacy cannot be limited to an annual Capitol Hill visit.

The real work continues when we return to our states.

For me, that means exploring additional ways to engage Georgia audiologists, strengthen relationships with congressional offices, and help build support and cosponsorship for legislation affecting our profession.

It means encouraging more colleagues to become involved with professional organizations and grassroots advocacy initiatives.

It means being willing to ask difficult questions, understand opposing viewpoints, and find opportunities to build meaningful partnerships.

It also means reminding audiologists that we don't have to wait until we feel completely comfortable or politically experienced to participate.

We simply have to show up, be prepared, and stay engaged.

More Than a Capitol Hill Visit

As a practice owner, nonprofit founder, and practicing audiologist, my schedule is full.

I always have patients to serve, communities to reach, employees to support, and responsibilities that require my attention.

It would be easy to leave advocacy to someone else.

But this experience reminded me why that is not an option I want to choose.

Decisions made in Washington can directly affect what happens in our clinics, schools, hospitals, and communities.

If we want a voice in shaping those decisions, we must be willing to participate in the process.

I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Georgia, collaborate with speech-language pathology professionals, support an aspiring audiologist, and engage congressional staff in conversations that matter.

Most importantly, I am returning to this work with a renewed sense of purpose.

Advocacy is not just about the legislation before Congress today. It is about the future we are helping to create for our profession and the patients we serve tomorrow.

And that future deserves our involvement.

A Call to My Fellow Audiologists

To my colleagues in Georgia and across the country: I encourage you to find your place in advocacy.

You don't have to travel to Washington to make a difference. You can contact your legislators, participate in state advocacy efforts, engage with professional organizations, share your clinical experiences, or mentor a future audiologist.

Every effort matters.

When audiologists become more informed, more connected, and more involved, our profession is better positioned to advocate for meaningful change.

Our voices matter. Our patients matter. And our presence in the legislative process matters.

The work continues.